With November giving way to December, many holiday actives are slated for the weekend, from fundraisers to a Christmas tree lighting at City Hall.

The Kerr McGee Center kitchen is slated to hold a cooking class on holiday side dishes for the culinary inclined. The cost is $40 per person and runs from 5:30-8:15 p.m on Thursday. Chef Patrice Johnson of Mystique Cooking is teaching the workshop.

This weekend, Mesquite Hall at the Desert Empire Fairgrounds will be buzzing as the 34th annual Santa’s Art Shop takes off Saturday and Sunday. More than 200 vendors have participated in the event in the past. The event offers locals the opportunity to peruse original artwork and crafts, and has drummed up 5,000 holiday shoppers in the past. The event is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The Inaugural Mike Hunsinger Memorial Toys for Tots Car Show, sponsored by the Roadrunners Club and KSSI 102.7, will happen Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Desert Empire Fairgrounds.

All donations made at the car show go toward the Toys for Tots program to benefit local children. The entry fee is an unwrapped toy or $10.

City Hall is slated to light up its Christmas tree for the 12th year on Sunday, which is followed by holiday candlelight caroling. The lighting ceremony for Ridgecrest’s community tree is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.